NESCAC

[letsGOswans!]

Saw Devlin in person yesterday, and would be shocked if there is a better player in the league.

Yep, it's not even close. In my opinion he is a first team all American. Heck, I think he should have been one last year, but he lacked the stats and Conn didn't do too well. He has added goals to his game this year. If Conn does well I wouldn't be surprised to see him get first team as every coach knows how good he is.

Conn's loss to Hamilton wasn't just due to Devlin's absence. They were also losing a few other key players to (I assume) injuries. Can't wait to see their game vs Williams this weekend.

[Once_A_Metro_Always_A_Red]

Got to think Devlin could have made a difference in Hamilton.

That being said,

Hamilton 1-0 over Middlebury.  I still think Middlebury will make sweet 16, but Hamilton's home, they are hot, why not?  Upset special.

Tufts over Wes 2-0, think Tufts will start to get it going.........

Is Hamilton for real this year? This seems like a good opportunity to find out. Long away day trip for Midd midweek, but it's a program that knows how grind out results in this kind of environment. Midd 2-1

Is it too early for the first absolute must-win game of this season? Wes comes off a horrible day up at Bates, now 0-2 in conference -- and their schedule only gets tougher in the back half. If they lose and go 0-3 in conference, I'm not sure if they can manage their way back from that. On the other hand, a win against a quality Tufts team could be an inflection point that knocks them back on track. Result of this game dependent on the injury status of Cowie-Haskell and Martinez-Paiz for Wes and Majumder for Tufts. But going to run with Tufts 2-1 as well

[Brother Flounder]

Got to think Devlin could have made a difference in Hamilton.

That being said,

Hamilton 1-0 over Middlebury.  I still think Middlebury will make sweet 16, but Hamilton's home, they are hot, why not?  Upset special.

Tufts over Wes 2-0, think Tufts will start to get it going.........

Is Hamilton for real this year? This seems like a good opportunity to find out. Long away day trip for Midd midweek, but it's a program that knows how grind out results in this kind of environment. Midd 2-1

Is it too early for the first absolute must-win game of this season? Wes comes off a horrible day up at Bates, now 0-2 in conference -- and their schedule only gets tougher in the back half. If they lose and go 0-3 in conference, I'm not sure if they can manage their way back from that. On the other hand, a win against a quality Tufts team could be an inflection point that knocks them back on track. Result of this game dependent on the injury status of Cowie-Haskell and Martinez-Paiz for Wes and Majumder for Tufts. But going to run with Tufts 2-1 as well

1-0 Tufts

[blooter442]

Hamilton 0-1 Middlebury - Midd gets a crucial road victory and Hamilton will somehow get denied a penalty/called offside/etc. in its quest for the equalizer.

Tufts 0-0 Wesleyan - Even taking into consideration their win on Saturday, a Tufts team with Majumder is a lot more dangerous than a Tufts team without Majumder. If they get him back, I'd say they're convincing winners, but until I hear otherwise on his status, I'll take the draw.

[Off Pitch]

Hamilton 0-2 Middlebury       Hamilton meets reality in the form of a Panther.
Tufts 2-0 Wesleyan      Wesleyan fares no better at Tufts than they did at Bates.  The Cardinals have scored only 1 goal in their last three games, and Tufts has 3 consecutive shutouts.

[Mr.Right]

Today's Predictions:

Hamilton v Midd-----This is the game where the rubber might hit the road for Hamilton. If they can win they have a legitimate argument to be a Top 25 team and would have a perfect 4-0-0 Nescac record. They have some advantages...1. Mid-Week Home game. 2. Midd might not take them seriously...I just really like the way Midd has been playing the past couple weeks and think they have better players, more athleticism, more depth, way more height and quite honestly more skill in midfield. Midd 4-1

Tufts v Wesleyan-----Not sure how Brandeis is still ranked Top 25 and Tufts is not RV...anyhow...If we think Wesleyan is going to rebound from a 2-0 defeat at Bates and beat Tufts we are kidding ourselves. Tufts is starting to come into its own and should handle Wesleyan today. I like Wesleyan's frosh on the flank but they just do not have the weapons to win this game mid-week on turf...3-0 Tufts

[blooter442]

Tufts v Wesleyan-----Not sure how Brandeis is still ranked Top 25 and Tufts is not RV...anyhow...If we think Wesleyan is going to rebound from a 2-0 defeat at Bates and beat Tufts we are kidding ourselves. Tufts is starting to come into its own and should handle Wesleyan today. I like Wesleyan's frosh on the flank but they just do not have the weapons to win this game mid-week on turf...3-0 Tufts

I am equally confused, but Brandeis needs to start winning games and fast. Ever since beating Haverford they have been in free-fall. If they fail to beat Wheaton tonight then - outside of winning the UAA, which they likely won't because Chicago is extremely strong - their NCAA hopes are pretty much toast.

[Shooter McGavin]

Hamilton 1
Middlebury 1

Winning is hard and winning on the road is even harder. Midd gets a result and stays unbeaten while Hamilton raises a few more eyebrows.

Tufts 2
Wesleyan 0

This game has Tufts written all over it and I am going with that.

[blooter442]

Wesleyan over Tufts?! (I was the closest to predicting it, but still thought that the best Wes. would get was a draw.)

[Brother Flounder]

Wesleyan over Tufts?! (I was the closest to predicting it, but still thought that the best Wes. would get was a draw.)

Tough loss for the young Jumbos..... and another game without Majumber....... This is what happens with a young team....

[Mr.Right]

I watched most of the Tufts v Wesleyan game and quite honestly put me to sleep. Tufts just does not have the legitimate weapons it did 2 years ago. They are a good team just not a great team. Wesleyan was whacking it much more than usual last night maybe because of Tufts pressure or the unfamiliarity with the turf..not sure...The goal was a nice goal off a set piece with a nice finish from Nick Jackson I believe. Greenwood had a chance to come and get it but in reality his defenders should have gotten to it first. I like CB Sullivan but I think CB Coleman is a step slow and can be beaten by quicker strikers. Wesleyan did just enough last night to get the Win and remind us all that they are not going anywhere.

[1970s NESCAC Player]

That was an especially good win for Wesleyan, since they continued to play without Cowie-Haskell and Martinez-Paiz.  Showed a lot of character, knowing their backs were against the wall and getting a result.

[Mr.Right]

That was an especially good win for Wesleyan, since they continued to play without Cowie-Haskell and Martinez-Paiz.  Showed a lot of character, knowing their backs were against the wall and getting a result.

It was a good win and shows how underrated Wheeler is as a coach. They have a very tough schedule remaining and have dug themselves a bit of a hole but it is a start. I was surprised how well they played on the turf considering they probably only practiced on turf for 1 day. That being said, it is not like they dominated Tufts and really did not have that many chances to score in the game. Neither did Tufts as the game was muddled in midfield and Wesleyan's backs were hoofing it more than usual. Taylor Chin who had a great Andover career is being used sparingly as a wingback. Personally, I think he would be more dangerous on the flank taking guys on. Charlie Livingstone was another highly regarded recruit who has disappointed so far in his Wesleyan career. Anyhow...let's see if they can keep it going.

[Once_A_Metro_Always_A_Red]

That was an especially good win for Wesleyan, since they continued to play without Cowie-Haskell and Martinez-Paiz.  Showed a lot of character, knowing their backs were against the wall and getting a result.

It was a good win and shows how underrated Wheeler is as a coach. They have a very tough schedule remaining and have dug themselves a bit of a hole but it is a start. I was surprised how well they played on the turf considering they probably only practiced on turf for 1 day. That being said, it is not like they dominated Tufts and really did not have that many chances to score in the game. Neither did Tufts as the game was muddled in midfield and Wesleyan's backs were hoofing it more than usual. Taylor Chin who had a great Andover career is being used sparingly as a wingback. Personally, I think he would be more dangerous on the flank taking guys on. Charlie Livingstone was another highly regarded recruit who has disappointed so far in his Wesleyan career. Anyhow...let's see if they can keep it going.

It was a good win for Wesleyan in so much as it was an absolute must-win (and they got it on the road against a better team), but I don't know this is kind of performance is sustainable for a team that wants to be competitive. I mean, if we were going to simulate this game 100 times (no ties), Tufts wins like 70-80% of the time, no? I mean, Wesleyan had no real chances outside of the goal and struggled to string more than a couple passes together. That said, they were increasingly disciplined defensively as the game wore on and Tufts found it difficult down a goal to break Wes down. Credit ought to go to Wheeler and his guys for digging deep and pulling the game out, but this team will still struggle without fixing some fundamental problems.

After the game settled down initially, I thought Tufts first 20 minutes or so we're great. They allowed the ball to move, spread the game out before trying to combine with their striker, and were aggressive going at goal. That really wore off though as the game dragged on, and Wesleyan closed off the center of the field, forcing Tufts to play down the flanks.  After the goal, Tufts couldn't really break Wes down and create big chances. It will be interesting when Majumder comes back if Tufts can be a more efficient scoring team.

Side note: Fan of Zach Halliday, a true #6 who provides an effective pivot is too rare these days

[blooter442]

At MIT-Amherst. 0-0 just 15 in but MIT kid missed a free back header off a free kick. Owen did not cover himself in glory, was super shaky and didn't know whether to stay home or come for the set piece. Bean also got schooled by an MIT winger only for the kid to make a bad pass. Amherst still well in control but they do have some vulnerabilities, particularly Sood. Amherst is certainly physical but while it perhaps makes sense on grass they are hoofing a lot considering they're on turf.